Bignal Rand Park

The moorland rolls out flat and open here, with heather stretching to the horizon in late summer - proper Somerset upland rather than the rolling green you might expect. Bignal Rand Park is a nature reserve that doesn't announce itself loudly, which is rather the point. You're looking at acid grassland and heather habitat managed for ground-nesting birds, and if you time it right between April and July, you might spot a curlew or two picking their way through the rough grass.

It's a walker's spot more than a family outing for half an hour. The terrain is bog-standard moorland walking - wet in winter, boggy in autumn - so proper boots are essential rather than optional. There are paths through the reserve, though nothing sign-posted to death. The views back towards Wells are decent, and on a clear day you get a sense of sitting properly high up, even if the elevation doesn't sound much on paper.

Who gets the most from it? Birdwatchers certainly, and walkers after something different from the usual Somerset countryside. It's the kind of place that appeals to people who like twitching binoculars and knowing the difference between a linnet and a lesser spotted whatever. Families might find it a bit bleak and exposed unless the kids are into that sort of thing.

Based near Wells, it slots in nicely alongside the town's attractions without feeling forced. Tall Trees Glamping sits just 5.6 miles away, making it a feasible morning walk from accommodation. Allow a couple of hours to do it justice rather than rushing through. Go when the weather's set fair - exposed moorland in a downpour loses its charm quickly.